By ThankGod Inalegwu
Nigeria’s football community has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Super Eagles midfielder and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Henry Nwosu, who passed away at the age of 62. Reports say the football legend died in the early hours of Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital after spending several days in intensive care.
The sad news was confirmed by Nwosu’s former teammate and fellow football icon, Segun Odegbami, who announced that the ex-international died at about 4:00 a.m. after battling for his life for five days in hospital. Odegbami, who fondly called him the “Youngest Millionaire,” expressed deep pain over the loss of one of Nigeria’s football greats.
Henry Nwosu remains one of the most respected names in Nigerian football history. He was a key member of the Green Eagles squad that won Nigeria’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in 1980, a triumph that firmly placed him among the country’s football legends. Tributes have continued to pour in from across the nation, with the Super Eagles and other stakeholders remembering his contribution to Nigerian football and his role in that historic continental victory.
During his playing career, Nwosu featured for notable clubs including New Nigeria Bank FC, African Continental Bank FC, and ASEC Mimosas. On the international stage, he represented Nigeria at several major tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations and the 1980 Summer Olympics, where he showcased his brilliance in midfield and earned admiration for his skill, vision, and leadership.
After retiring from active football, Nwosu remained committed to the development of the game by moving into coaching. He worked with Nigeria’s U-17 national team and later handled clubs such as Ibom Stars and Gateway United, helping to nurture younger talents and extend his influence beyond his playing days. His death has once again reminded many Nigerians of the enduring legacy he built both on and off the pitch.
President Bola Tinubu has also mourned the late football icon, describing his passing as a painful loss to the nation and extending condolences to his family and the entire football fraternity. As tributes continue to flow, many Nigerians are remembering Henry Nwosu not only as a gifted midfielder but also as one of the heroes who helped shape the country’s football identity.